FIFA has stirred controversy in Nigeria after utilizing a picture of the Birnin Kebbi Stadium, a FIFA/NFF-funded facility, as the brand new profile banner on its official social media pages.
The picture, exhibiting the partially accomplished mini-stadium in Kebbi State, rapidly went viral on social media, significantly X, on Saturday, sparking debate over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for grassroots soccer improvement.
The challenge, launched in 2020 underneath the FIFA Ahead Programme, was collectively executed by FIFA and the Nigeria Soccer Federation, NFF.
Nevertheless, social media customers interpreted FIFA’s put up as a delicate criticism of the NFF amid renewed allegations of corruption.
Soccer critic, Chinedu Mobike had earlier accused the NFF of mishandling $1.2 million earmarked for 2 FIFA-backed stadiums in Kebbi and Ugborodo, Delta State. In a viral video, he claimed the tasks remained incomplete regardless of the funds being launched.
The NFF, in a press release on October 24, denied the allegations, insisting that each one FIFA and CAF funds are tied to particular tasks and audited commonly. It additionally dismissed the figures circulating on-line as “fictitious,” sustaining that each one FIFA Ahead tasks are executed in keeping with world compliance requirements.
Regardless of the clarification, FIFA’s social media replace reignited public criticism, with many Nigerians viewing it as a humiliation to the nation’s soccer administration.
Whereas some defended FIFA’s motion as recognition of a improvement challenge, others described it as a veiled message highlighting inefficiency and poor accountability inside the NFF.
The Birnin Kebbi mini-stadium challenge, reportedly costing $1.18 million, was inaugurated in 2023 by Governor Nasir Idris, with FIFA stating it was a part of its dedication to selling grassroots soccer in Nigeria.
As of press time, FIFA has not issued any official remark concerning the motive behind utilizing the Kebbi stadium picture on its social media banner.
